Catch Speaker Howell’s interview on WRVA’s Jimmy Barrett show. Filling in for Jimmy, guest host Congressman Randy Forbes and the Speaker discussed the lessons Washington can learn from Virginia: The no-tax-increase way from a $4.2 Billion deficit to a balanced budget How to foster a pro-business, pro-jobs economy As well as the sure-fire method to stop job creation—create uncertainty for … Read More
Landes Explains Senate’s Bad Revenue Estimate
Del. Steve Landes (R-Augusta) relays a lesson the Senate has failed to learn–you have to know how much you can spend before you start spending it. The Senate Budget makes promises that responsible revenue figures won’t support. Landes details the flaws in the Senate revenue estimates and their irresponsible decision not to provide for a deposit to begin replenishing the … Read More
O’Bannon Details Healthcare Budget
Del. John M. O’Bannon, III, MD (R-Henrico), addressed the House to explain the healthcare provisions of the House budget. O’Bannon noted the improvements in home and community-based care over Gov. Kaine’s budget, as well as explaining the prudent use of one-time federal funds for non-recurring items in contrast to the Senate’s approach that will create structural imbalances in future budgets. … Read More
Republicans Offer Real Solutions; Democrats Just Complain
The House adopted its version of the Budget, HB 30, on a party line vote, 61-38. Republican delegates produced a no tax, no fee increase budget by making tough choices about funding core government responsibilities. Democrats had the opportunity to vote for former Governor Kaine’s $2 billion tax increase on January 29 (HB 1155), and voted “no.” Democrats had the … Read More
Chairman Putney Releases House Republican Budget Proposal
At today’s House Appropriations Committee meeting, Chairman Lacey Putney (I-Bedford), who caucuses with Republicans, released the House Republicans’ proposed amendments to the budget submitted by former Governor Tim Kaine, which accomplishes the following 8 objectives: Restore the Car Tax and reject higher taxes in a recession; Eliminate Fee Increases embedded in Gov. Kaine’s introduced budget; Modify Kaine’s “dealer discount” proposal … Read More
Kirk Cox Discusses Crossover on WRVA
The Lee Brothers, filling in for Jimmy Barrett, featured Del. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), House Majority Whip, on WRVA 1140‘s Richmond Morning News. Del. Cox highlighted the House’s common sense conservative agenda and previewed the no-tax-increase budget to be released on Sunday. Listen to the audio at: February 17, 2010 Jimmy Barrett Interview with Kirk Cox.
Holsworth–Kaine’s Tax Hike a National Boomerang
Check out Bob Holsworth’s analysis at Virginia Tomorrow. Holsworth highlights Speaker Howell’s tax hike jujitsu, which, to mix sports metaphors, will turn Tim Kaine’s tax hike proposal into a boomerang for the chair of the DNC.
Kaine Budget “not intended to pass … not likely to be taken seriously”
In today’s Richmond Times Dispatch, Paul Goldman, former state Democratic chairman, offers the most succinct summary of Kaine’s good-luck-see-ya-later budget: “This is some kind of a statement,” said Paul Goldman, a former state Democratic chairman and critic of his party’s reliance on tax increases. “It’s not intended to be passed, and it’s not likely to be taken seriously.” After noting … Read More
Howell responds to Kaine’s Tax-Hike Budget
Following Kaine’s presentation to the General Assembly’s money committees of his budget, Speaker Howell issued a statement (see press release) highlighting the impact of Kaine’s tax increase proposals on Virginia families. Howell committed the House Republican Caucus to working with Governor-elect McDonnell to delivering a structurally balanced budget on times, matching spending to available revenue.